Previous sample sizes were 471 in 1969,523 in 1974,648 in 1979,540 in 1984, and 380 in 1989.

Main outcome measures-Self reported levels of knowledge and experience of illicit drugs.

Results

Over 25 years the proportion of pupils who knew someone taking drugs more than quadrupled from 15% (71/471) to 65% (254/392), and the proportion who had been offered drugs increased ninefold from 5% (24) to 45% (175).

Both of these proportions more than doubled over the past five years.

In 1994 the proportions of pupils mentioning « ecstasy » (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), amphetamines, and crack cocaine increased significantly (P<0.01) and the proportion mentioning opiates decreased significantly (P<0.01) - « Poppers » (amyl nitrite) were mentioned for the first time- « To feel big, to show off, look grown up » has continued to be the main perceived reason for taking drugs.

Television has continued to be the main source of informationConclusions-In the past five years in particular young people's exposure to illicit drugs has increased deamatically.